I went the Distance to Make a DIFFERENCE!

Hello everyone,

Well, it’s been a long journey! If you remember I started my journey in August with my first

4 mile run and continued through the holidays running my longest run of 20 miles before the race.

WOW -I ran over 500 miles not including all the swimming and biking I did for cross training!

That would take me from Arnold, MD down I 95 to approximately 40 miles south of Sumter SC.

Team In Training-Maryland raised over $90,000 towards the Disney event TNT greater group’s total of over $4,000,000 for research to find a cure for blood cancer.

The funds we raised have already supported many Maryland families by providing much-needed patient financial assistance for medications and treatment.

Please take a moment to congratulate yourselves. Although I ran the race you helped me get there and helped to be a part of a cure. In 2, 5 or even 10 years when a cure is found or a new treatment is available to cancer patients you can honestly say YOU were there YOU helped.

One person can make a difference.

I've said it before and I’ll say it again: THANK YOU!!!

Race Highlights:

I FINISHED MY FIRST MARATHON. I feel great and I am on the road to recovery to start training for my next event. It Really does make all those hot and cold weather runs well worth it!

Temps were a little chilly, but nothing like Maryland, starting at 5:30am was a bit different than we were used to and having to get up and out the door by 2:30am was new to all as well.

I got my picture taken with many characters and I even cried but I kept moving.

New News:

I am going to be running another marathon with TNT. – There is something so rewarding about running for those that need my help. I may even go back to Disney and do the Goofy challenge. (½ marathon on Saturday and the full on Sunday-39 mile) That is unless they find a cure for cancer between now and then.

Thank you to those who contributed and thank you everyone for your continued support.

Happy Holidays Everyone

This will be one of the last updates you will be getting on my marathon.

Since my last update the following have occurred.

1. I ran 18 miles on Sunday without stopping in that freezing windy weather.

2. 20+ Rum Cakes have been baked and sold to benefit LLS and there are still 5 more to bake and deliver. (contact me if you would like one)

3. To date I have run over 325 miles.

4. I have raised over $3,000 and am only $500 from my initial goal and on my way to raising $5000. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED. There still is time to donate.

5. I have cried, rejoiced, and cheered.

6. I have added the following mantras to my list of what keeps me going:

Pain is temporary pride if forever. I CAN do this. I WILL not let this beat me. You are truly amazing. It’s true you can do anything you put your mind to.

7. I have succesfully completed several fundraisers.

GO TEAM – I’M GOING TO DISNEY to help save lives. Thanks everyone for your support. Look for my final update and the wrap up message.

I have certainly gone the DISTANCE to make a difference.

Going the Distance to make a DIFFERENCE!

Time Tuesday, November 30 · 4:00pm - 11:00pm

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Location Rockfish Bar & Grill

400 Sixth Street

Annapolis, MD

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Created By Tanya Mekeal, Jodie Stugard Hogan

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More Info What?: A fundraiser and memory night to raise funds for families who are battling Leukemia and Lymphoma.

Why?: To celebrate our friends and family members who have conquered cancer and to honor those who have gone before us.

Misc: We will be creating a memory table full of pictures of survivors and memory makers. Please bring pictures of loved ones you would like to honor.

Bringing your friends and families to join us for yummy drinks and appetizers! 10% of the entire night’s sales will go the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There will be live music, raffels and more!

HOOD-lums - or anyone visiting my fundraising page.

I am challenging each and everyone of you to take a minute and think about those arround you and see who you can think of that has been affected by Cancer then take your next two lattes and donate then to LLS in honor of that person.

I would be honored to take that person with me on my Journey.

For each person you donate in honor of at least $10, I will write your friend family loved one etc. on my arm and take them to Disney and through the next several months of training with me.

The first 10 loved one donations of $20 or more will get a Disney pin mailed to them.

Thank you for your support.

Remember this is any one affected by Cancer. This starts today 10/18/10

Hello - I ran 11 miles with out stopping this past weekend and I wanted to thank you all again for your generosity.

Here is some information regarding what your donations are going to help with.

A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.

A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.

A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.

A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

These are just a few examples.